While this birdhouse is as simple as it gets, it has a lot going for it. It can be made very quickly…uses minimal materials and tools…and boasts a sleek look that will make any budding woodworker proud to say, “I built it all by myself!”.

Using the full width of the 1-inch x 6-inch board, cut out the pieces as shown in the board layout below.

Drill a centered entrance hole about 2-1/2 inches from the top of the front piece. For eastern and western bluebirds, the hole should be 1-1/2 inches (for areas with mountain bluebirds, use a 1-9/16-inch hole). Chickadees and tufted titmice prefer entrances of 1-1/8 and 1-1/4 inches, respectively.

Attach the front to the sides with 1-5/8-inch deck screws. Predrill the holes in the front piece to prevent the wood from splitting. After nesting season when it’s time to clean out the birdhouse, remove these screws for easy access.

Attach the back to the sides with 2-inch finishing nails. Predrill the holes, making sure each one is straight.

Cut about 1/2 inch off each corner of the floor for drainage.

Recess the floor 1/4 inch up from the bottom of the house, then attach it with 2-inch finishing nails from the sides and back. Do not nail the floor from the front or you won’t be able to open it for cleaning.

Wrens prefer a house that has an entry hole dimension of 1 1/8 inches, any larger and house sparrows and other less desirable birds will use them.

The floor should be 4 inches square and 3-6 inches below the entry hole.
Do not add or buy any birdhouse with a perch. The birds don’t need it, whereas house sparrows and other less desirable birds will have easy access if perches are used.

The roof should be slightly slanted to shed water and keep the contents of the nest dry. For a more traditional style, the front and back can be cut as an A frame.

Each side should provide for ventilation. Drill 1/4 inch holes on the sides of the house just under the roof. Also make sure there is adequate drainage in the bottom of the nesting box by drilling 1/4 inch holes in each corner of the bottom of the wren house.